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Top Nursing Schools

Top Nursing Schools in California

This page lists 196 schools in California that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 83 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 94 associate degree (ADN), 60 bachelor's (BSN), 46 master's and 13 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 111 public, 28 private nonprofit and 57 private for-profit. 93 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level. The largest concentrations are in Los Angeles (16), San Diego (9), Ontario (5) and Sacramento (5).

Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026

Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory / official school websites

Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.

196 schools · 20 verified program profiles · page 8 of 10

Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected

Schools (196)

Sacramento City College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeSacramento, CA

Sacramento City College is a public community / two-year college in Sacramento, CA. It reported 84 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

LPN/LVN, ADN

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Saddleback College campus

Saddleback College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeMission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College is a public community / two-year college in Mission Viejo, CA. It reported 192 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

RN Diploma, ADN

ACEN: ADN

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Samuel Merritt University campus

Samuel Merritt University

Private nonprofitSpecialized institutionOakland, CA

Samuel Merritt University is a private nonprofit specialized institution in Oakland, CA. It reported 712 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN, MSN, MSN-CRNA, MSN-FNP, Post-Master's-FNP, Doctorate

CCNE: BSN, MSN, DNP, Post-Master's

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San Bernardino Valley College campus

San Bernardino Valley College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeSan Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College is a public community / two-year college in San Bernardino, CA. It reported 93 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

ADN

ACEN: ADN

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San Diego City College campus

San Diego City College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeSan Diego, CA

San Diego City College is a public community / two-year college in San Diego, CA. It reported 49 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

ADN

ACEN: ADN

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San Diego State University campus

San Diego State University

PublicUniversitySan Diego, CA

San Diego State University is a public university in San Diego, CA. It reported 231 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN, MSN

CCNE: MSN, BSN

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San Francisco State University campus

San Francisco State University

PublicUniversitySan Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University is a public university in San Francisco, CA. It reported 207 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN, MSN

CCNE: BSN, MSN, Post-Master's

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San Joaquin Delta College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeStockton, CA

San Joaquin Delta College is a public community / two-year college in Stockton, CA. It reported 115 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

ADN

ACEN: ADN

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San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield

Private for-profitCommunity / two-year collegeBakersfield, CA

San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield is a private for-profit community / two-year college in Bakersfield, CA. It reported 67 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

LPN/LVN

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San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario

Private for-profitCommunity / two-year collegeOntario, CA

San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario is a private for-profit community / two-year college in Ontario, CA. It reported 33 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

ADN

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San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage

Private for-profitCommunity / two-year collegeRancho Mirage, CA

San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage is a private for-profit community / two-year college in Rancho Mirage, CA. It reported 27 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

LPN/LVN

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San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria

Private for-profitCommunity / two-year collegeSanta Maria, CA

San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria is a private for-profit community / two-year college in Santa Maria, CA. It reported 45 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

LPN/LVN

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San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

Private for-profitSpecialized institutionVisalia, CA

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a private for-profit specialized institution in Visalia, CA. It reported 108 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

LPN/LVN, ADN

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San Jose State University campus

San Jose State University

PublicUniversitySan Jose, CA

San Jose State University is a public university in San Jose, CA. It reported 179 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN, MSN, DNP

CCNE: BSN, MSN, DNP

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Santa Ana College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeSanta Ana, CA

Santa Ana College is a public community / two-year college in Santa Ana, CA. It reported 86 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

ADN

ACEN: ADN

View School
Santa Barbara City College campus

Santa Barbara City College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeSanta Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College is a public community / two-year college in Santa Barbara, CA. It reported 40 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

LPN/LVN, ADN

ACEN: ADN

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Santa Monica College campus

Santa Monica College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeSanta Monica, CA

Santa Monica College is a public community / two-year college in Santa Monica, CA. It reported 65 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

ADN

ACEN: ADN

View School
Santa Rosa Junior College campus

Santa Rosa Junior College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeSanta Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College is a public community / two-year college in Santa Rosa, CA. It reported 97 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

CNA, ADN

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Shasta College campus

Shasta College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeRedding, CA

Shasta College is a public community / two-year college in Redding, CA. It reported 74 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

CNA, LPN/LVN, ADN

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Sierra College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeRocklin, CA

Sierra College is a public community / two-year college in Rocklin, CA. It reported 39 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

ADN

ACEN: ADN

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Before you apply in California

  • Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
  • Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
  • Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of California. See online coursework and clinical requirements.